IPL 2024: How Swapnil Singh's talent found opportunity at RCB

Royal Challengers Bengalurus allrounder Swapnil Singh has been playing a crucial role in the sides IPL 2024 campaign The 33yearold debuted for RCB last month in Hyderabad He has been a part of the team through all their six consecutive victories in the IPL 2024Having almost given up on his cricket career until he was picked up by RCB in the auction Swapnils story is one of fulfilment and redemption when talent meets opportunity in an enabling environmentSpeaking on RCB Bold Diaries after RCB marched into the playoffs at Chinnaswamy Stadium Swapnil revealed how he had contemplated retirement before RCB chose him at the auction in what was an emotional moment for him and his familyThe day of the IPL auction I was travelling to Dharamsala for a game It was around 78 pm after I landed Nothing had happened by then and the last rounds were on When I missed out at first I thought thats it Frankly I thought it was all over Swapnil saidAlso ReadIN PHOTOS IPL 2024 Indian places where overseas cricketers visitedI thought I would play out the ongoing domestic season and if needed I would end my career after playing the next season because I did not want to keep playing all my life There are other things to do well in life as well I was very disappointed said the veteran cricketer who had made his senior domestic debut back in 2006 as a teenager and also shared rooms with Virat Kohli at the agegroup levelAnd then the turnaround came as RCB raised the paddle for Swapnil at the auction Swapnil could not control his tears As soon as my family called we broke down Because no one else understands how emotional the journey has beenThe allrounder credited head coach Andy Flower for keeping faith in him during the IPL 2024 auctions Previously Swampnils bowling impressed Flower in the nets Later Flower asked him to come for an RCB training campBefore RCB picked me in the auction they had organized a trialcumcamp I spoke to Andy sir and told him all about how my domestic season had gone I told him Just give me one chance This might be my last chance Just have faith in me He told he had faith in me He called me for the camp Swapnil saidWhen he entered the sides dressing room Swapnil knew that he would get an opportunity to play and was eager to contributeI never entered the ground thinking that I am not playing My first practice session was the first match for me it was not just a practice session I knew that I would have to be on target from ball one if I had to play even one game So nets was my match Swapnil saidI would tell my brother that I have neither scored a four nor a six in the IPL and I have taken only one wicket So I really want to hit a four and a sixWhen Swapnil debuted for RCB he didnt disappoint He smashed a six and a four during his 12run knock which came in six deliveries With the ball he also picked up a couple of wicketsI knew that if I got a chance to play our captain Faf du Plessis would definitely give me an over to bowl And in my first over I did not bowl six balls I bowled seven I did not know I would bowl a noball And I got a wicket off the seventh ball so it is gods blessings Swapnil signed offWith ANI Inputs